We are very sad to report the passing of a very distinguished and longtime member of our DCS Advisory Board, James D. Houston. Jim was a well liked and much respected technology expert in the fields of motion imaging standards, computer animation and digital restoration.  He won many awards over his career including the S.M.P.T.E.’s Technicolor, Herbert T. Kalmus Award in 2014 as well as two Scientific and Engineering Academy Awards.  The first was in 1992 for developing CAPS (Computer Aided Production System), which revolutionized computer animation. This system was the first that allowed artists to integrate color penciled artwork into CGI backgrounds. A second Academy Award was given in 2007 for his contribution to the Rosetta process used in digital restoration.

Jim Houston also played a key role in the development of standards related to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Academy Color Enoding System (ACES), and was a frequent guest speaker on the subject, including at DCS events. He graduated from Cornell University in 1981 with a degree in Physics and Computer Science and was the CEO of Starwatcher Digital. Most recently, Jim had gone to work for Samsung, handling Studio Relations in their Media Solutions Lab.  Jim succumbed to a heart attack at the age of 61 on March 26th. He will be sorely missed.